Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

(Leah - POV)

I barely noticed how long the walk was to the throne room. There was so much to see and admire. The architecture was impressive. The art along the walls, spectacular. We finally made it to a very large door. The giant man gave Edward a cloak to put on, he wasn't decent to be presented to the Masters. Young Jane pushed the heavy doors open and was greeted warmly by a young vampire boy around her age. Then he called her sister. Ah, that made so much sense. They smelled similar.

There were many vampires in the room. My senses had me on high alert. My hackles were rising in my mind's eye. Alice patted my arm. If it wasn't for all the vampires in the room, I would have jerked my arm away from her. The vampires that had escorted us to this ornate room were greeted by another vampire. He had long black hair, milky red eyes, almost papery white skin. He looked to be in his late 20's. He greeted each of them with a handshake. He was very affectionate with Jane. He said Jane, dear and pecked her small cheek after he let go of her hand. He turned to the others that escorted us and also took their hands. He thanked Felix, the really big guy. Then he turned to the smaller of them and said Demetri. He took his hand and then said Oh, my as he turned his gaze to me.

My skin prickled. My wolf begging to get out. Then he turned his gaze from me and addressed Edward, Bella, and Alice. I listened and watched the others. There were the whispers about the wet dog smell again. What was with them? I do not stink was all I could think. I smell like coconut. A perfectly acceptable smell. It was better than the super sugary sweet powdery scent that they carried. I looked around as he, Aro, I had heard Edward say his name was, continued speaking. I looked at the two still sitting on thrones. The platinum blonde looked angry. He was very similar to Aro in description only blonde and looked to be in his early 40's. I looked to the other one then. He was very young looking, early 20's with long dark hair and he looked so sad. He too was similar to Aro in description. He then looked at me.

I froze when he looked to me. He suddenly sat up and was studying me. I saw a glimmer of happiness enter his eyes but then he looked to Bella and Edward. He said Aro's name. Aro came to him and grasped his hand. He stood for just a moment. Edward hissed. Bella and Alice froze. The big guy, Felix, suddenly had Edward and had body slammed him into the stone floor, cracking it and holding him down.

"My, my, my, Edward. You know the laws." Aro crooned from where he stood, "Demetri come."

I saw Demetri sweep across the throne room and to the dais. I hadn't noticed that he had taken his hood off. He had windswept dark hair, very Grecian features and an olive skin tone to his pale complexion, that I could see from the side profile. He stood before Aro and Aro told him to look at me. He did. I looked at his features but when I got to his eyes, everything faded. My whole world was suddenly cut from me, and millions of steel cables came from me and connected to him. I felt myself going to my knees as everything was just gone but him.

"Marcus confirmed it." I vaguely heard Aro say.

I whimpered low in my throat. The wolf wanted to greet its mate. I wanted to be near him. I needed to be near him. I watched him come towards me and he knelt before me. His gloved hand cupped my cheek.

"Il mio piccolo dolce." he whispered as he cupped my chin and smiled.

"I'm Leah Clearwater." I told him.

"Leah, meaning delicate or weary in Hebrew. Are you either of those my Leah?" Demetri asked of me.

"Once upon a time I was delicate. Now I am weary." I whispered.

"Miss Clearwater." Aro addressed me, "Unfortunately my dear you will have to stay with us."

"What?!" I asked.

"You know our secret. So, it's stay and be turned, or we must execute you. I'd rather not, I can tell you aren't a regular human." Aro said as he came forward.

"I can't be turned." I began.

"She has chosen death." the blonde says roughly.

"Brother please." Aro says to him.

"I can't be changed because it will kill me." I explained as I stood.

Demetri looked at me worried. I gave his hand a squeeze. This was a bit new for me. This kind of sudden and yet amazing connection and affection for someone.

"Aro, she speaks the truth." Alice said from her spot by Bella.

Aro nods and then turns to Bella. He then looks to Edward and then back to Marcus. He had a contemplative look on his face. What was going on? Edward made to get up but was once again slammed down by Felix. Bella was beginning to get upset. I almost rolled my eyes. I feel Demetri close behind me. I lean my head up to look up at him. He was taller than me.

"When is this going to end?" the blonde snarled.

I couldn't help the wolfish growl that reverberated deep from my chest. The hostility that came from just that single sentence set my wolf on edge. All eyes turned to me. I shrank back a bit into Demetri, his hands coming to touch my shoulders. He was at my back but there was too many at my front when I thought about this possibly going sideways.

"Miss Swan we are requiring that you stay here." Aro announced.

Alice's face showed shock. Then she was hit by a premonition. Then she recovered. She looked to Bella and then at Edward sadly. Then her face held painful resignation. An angry cry came from Edward's lips. Alice looked to her brother, and she shook her head. She whispered to him, don't. Edward stilled underneath the large hands of Felix. He muttered no, as he stared at Marcus.

"La tua cantanta, does not mean it's a mate." Aro said looking down at Edward.

"Aro, she has family. She has to finish school. Too many people will come looking for her." Alice said to him.

"Marcus, would you be willing to go to Forks with Isabella?" Aro asked of Marcus.

"I would be willing." Marcus, the one that had been sad, answered.

"Miss Clearwater, is there anything that would keep you from staying here?" Aro suddenly addressed me.

"Nothing other than my father's funeral. And I have to meet my tribal elders." I answered.

Aro stood straight staring out into space. I could see the look in his eyes. He was thinking. He was calculating. I didn't know him to know what precisely he was thinking about.

"All right, so you all will return to Forks. Miss Clearwater, Demetri will go with you as you clean up the loose ends with your family. Miss Swan, Marcus will be accompanying you and will be attending high school with you. Mr. Cullen, you will not interfere. If you do, Marcus will have your head on a pike. Now, Felix will accompany you all as well. Make arrangements and you can go at nightfall." Aro stated "Caius, any words?"

"Do mess up again. Please. I will enjoy separating your head from your body. I will not give you another chance." Caius, the blonde stated with a feral fanged grin.

A shiver went up my spine as my wolf snarled in my mind. She was not safe around this particular Vampire King. He spooked her badly. I was pulled from that thought by Demetri's hand on my back.